I often play this little game with myself, asking: "If ______ happened right now, what would I do?" One of the questions that always comes up is, "if the fire alarm were to go off right now, what would I take?" In my mind I would anticipate giving myself about 15 seconds to decide, find the items, and be out the door. Often, I'd even locate the items just to see if that were possible. I always saw myself grabbing my laptop, a large box of photos, and my passport. I will tell you right now that the items I saw myself taking, and the items I actually took were quite different when the fire alarm in my apartment building went off at 6:30am a few weeks ago. Perhaps one reason for this is

that I wasn't convinced that there was an actual fire (although being blasted from a deep sleep by a commercial fire alarm would make anyone question reality), and dragging a bunch of crap outside just seemed like way too much of an inconvenience. I grabbed my phone, just in case I needed to call someone to tell them I just lost everything I owned in a horrific fire. I grabbed my driver's license and debit card; they were right next to the phone and I figured if I did lose everything in a horrific fire, I was probably going to want to ruminate about it over breakfast... and possibly a shot of whiskey. And I grabbed my dog. No explanation needed there. I was the only person in the park that didn't bother grabbing the harness and leash for my dog. I took these items without having a second thought about anything else, and trudged outside to see what happened next.

Many people have asked me how I can leave everything I know behind when I move to Australia in 14 months. While I am still figuring out how I will cope with homesickness and missing my family and friends (one of the purposes of this blog), this experience really helped to solidify my perception of the matter of leaving behind my belongings. A few things will be left behind in safe keeping- photos, valuables, art, etc. But most things I will sell or give away. I plan to only take 2 (probably very large) suitcases. Granted, I will end up accruing some things once I am there- furniture, clothing, housewares etc. But in letting go of the objects I've been packing around for umpteen years, it forces me to determine which aspects of myself I am trying to fulfill with them- ultimately revealing my strengths and weaknesses. I look forward, instead, to how my experiences in the next few years will fulfill me, how they will make me stronger, and how they will be incredibly worth this eye-opening process of letting go... What would you take if you had only two suitcases? What would you leave behind for 4 years? And better yet- what would you take if your fire alarm went off *RIGHT NOW*? You have 15 seconds... Feel free to post your reflections in the comments below!

My life has, for better or worse, awarded me the usual ability to let go of things (and people) without much remorse. All things do end. If my fire alarm sounded, i'd probably consider not moving.. entertaining the idea of a fiery demise. Ultimately, i would get up and leave, taking only some clothes and my phone/wallet/car keys. The 'why' of my actions could only be attributed to forces which are beyond my understanding. I have no good reason why i would not sit and suffocate.. or burn out bright.. but i wouldn't. I ain't mad. :)

I do not fully understand your reasons for planning the things that you have planned, Sarah, but you seem to be impassioned by this work. It is a passion which i admire and i wish it will last with you. You can never have an adventure without first leaving behind the many comforts you know. I think that you are brave to venture forward into the grand unknown with large dreams. I am always willing to support you and your endeavors in whatever way i can. The bolder, the better. :)